Elizabeth Boyd

Daytime and some evening availability.

Hello, I'm glad you've found your way here.

Reaching out for counselling can feel like a big step, especially if you're used to managing things on your own. Sometimes people come to therapy because something in life has become difficult, and sometimes it's simply a sense that they want to understand themselves more deeply.

I am an integrative counsellor, which means I draw on different therapeutic approaches to support you in a way that feels right for you. At the heart of my work is creating a calm, safe space where you can talk openly and feel genuinely heard.

My approach is warm, compassionate and collaborative. I believe that when we feel accepted and understood, it becomes easier to explore difficult experiences and begin to move towards greater self-understanding and change.

Menopause

Many women expect menopause to announce itself with hot flushes or changes to their periods. Instead, it can arrive disguised as anxiety or depression.

Suddenly you're worrying more than usual. Feeling overwhelmed by things you used to cope with. More irritable, more emotional, less like yourself. The joy seems harder to find.

At the same time, life is often asking a lot of us. Ageing parents may need support. Children may be leaving home. Relationships change. Careers evolve. Losses accumulate.

It can be difficult to know what belongs to menopause, what belongs to life, and what belongs to years of carrying too much for too long.

Counselling can't stop menopause, but it can offer a space to make sense of what you're experiencing. A place to process difficult emotions, feel more grounded and less overwhelmed, and explore what you need during a time of significant change.

Sometimes having space to pause and be heard can make all the difference.

Anxiety

Anxiety can be like a well-meaning friend who’s so worried about you getting hurt that they never want you to leave the house. It keeps life small and safe, but over time it can leave you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or missing out on what matters to you.

Many people come to counselling feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure why things feel so difficult, whether that’s anxiety, stress, grief, or a sense that something needs to change.

During our work together, many clients tell me that having a safe, calm, and confidential space, separate from everyday life, where they can slow down, reflect on and make sense of their thoughts and feelings, is helpful. I offer that space from my peaceful garden room in Buxton, Derbyshire, or online across the UK, where you can explore what’s going on for you without judgement and feel genuinely heard.

Choosing a counsellor is an important decision, so I offer a free 20-minute introductory call. This is an opportunity for us to get to know each other, for you to ask any questions you may have, and to explore what has brought you to therapy. It’s also a chance for us to decide whether we feel like a good fit to work together.

Rather than focusing on fixed goals, I’m interested in understanding where you would like life to feel different. Perhaps you’d like to feel less anxious, cope better with difficult emotions, gain clarity, or reconnect with yourself. We can explore this together at your own pace.

If you decide to begin counselling, our first paid session will start with a discussion about confidentiality and how I work, so that you know what to expect and can feel informed and comfortable. I’ll invite you to share any background information that you feel is relevant to our work together, recognising that there is no pressure to disclose more than you’re ready to.

I will provide a client agreement outlining practical aspects of our work, and we can go through it together, giving you the opportunity to ask questions before moving forward.

I usually recommend weekly sessions to begin with. Meeting regularly helps us establish consistency and build the trusting therapeutic relationship that forms the foundation of effective counselling. As our work progresses, we can review your needs together and decide what feels most appropriate for you.

Above all, therapy is your space. My role is to offer a calm, confidential, and supportive environment where you feel heard, understood, and able to explore whatever is important to you.